US sweet protein developer Oobli (formerly Joywell Foods) announces that it has received the FDA’s first “no questions” letter for its monellin sweet protein, produced via precision fermentation.
With the letter, the FDA confirmed that Oobli’s monellin is safe to use as a sweetener in food and beverages. The acknowledgment follows a previous FDA approval of brazzein, another sweet-tasting protein.
“It’s like having more tools in the toolkit”
Monellin is originally found in the serendipity berry of the Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii plant, and brazzein is in the fruit of the Oubli plant. Both scarce sweet proteins are said to be significantly sweeter than sugar.
Founder and CTO Jason Ryder shared, “Having additional sweet proteins on the Oobli platform will enable companies across the globe to focus on ways to reduce sugar without compromising taste. It’s like having more tools in the toolkit.”
Sweeteners with no glycemic impact
Oobli, based in California, claims to be the first company developing a platform for multiple sweet proteins and the only company regulated to sell sweet proteins as a healthier alternative to traditional sugar and artificial sweeteners, with multiple FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) affirmations. The brand has four sweet proteins available.
Oobli’s sweeteners can replace over 70% of sugar in many food and beverage products and have no glycemic impact or adverse effects on the gut microbiome, offering healthier sweeteners for foods and beverages. Moreover, produced through fermentation, they are said to be more sustainable, using less land, water, and carbon compared to traditional sugarcane farming.
“Food is a complex system, and when we replace sweetness in a food or beverage application, all the ingredients come into play”
Major food companies, including Grupo Bimbo, are working with the biotech company to incorporate its economic alternative to sugar into their formulations, with many products expected to launch in 2025. Meanwhile, Oobli has an award-winning, protein-sweetened chocolate brand and a line of iced tea products. The products are available on its e-commerce site, Amazon, and Japan Airlines’ international flights between San Francisco and Tokyo, demonstrating the company’s innovative partnerships.
“Food is a complex system, and when we replace sweetness in a food or beverage application, all the ingredients come into play. This is why we’re so committed to approaching sweet proteins as a platform; offering more sweetener solutions to our partners.”
New board members
Oobli also announces that Geoffrey Duyk and Heather Malenshek have joined the board of directors, bringing significant expertise in technology, science, and marketing.
Duyk has an extensive background in research and leadership, having served as VP of Research at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, President/CSO at Exelixis Pharmaceuticals, and a partner at TPG/TPG Biotech. Meanwhile, Heather Malenshek has over 30 years of marketing experience with top brands like Land O’ Lakes and Harley-Davidson. Forbes has recognized her as one of the world’s most influential CMOs, explained Oobli.
CEO Ali Wing commented, “Our new board members, including Geoff Duyk M.D. and Heather Malenshek, bring an unparalleled level of expertise and knowledge that will help grow Oobli’s protein platform to bring change to our food system and how we make sweet foods.
“Our additional scientific advisory board members Chris Damman M.D. and Francine Kaufman M.D. round out Oobli’s focus on clinical research in areas including the gut microbiome, blood sugar, and insulin response.”
